'India-Sri Lanka relations have scope for improvement'

Mumbai, Jan 15 (IANS) India-Sri Lanka relations are multi-faceted and have tremendous scope for expansion and improvement, says a joint study group of both the countries.

Set up under an initiative of Manipal Global Education of India and Pathfinder Foundation of Sri Lanka, the study group has presented its recommendations to the governments of India and Sri Lanka.

The group was conceived last year as a dialogue process to explore ways of strengthen bilateral relation through innovative recommendations.

According to the report, a speedy reconciliation process will have a salutary impact on strengthening relations.

It emphasised on the importance of both the governments repositioning themselves in relation to the post-LTTE realities in a pragmatic and forward-looking manner.

The report also recommended a structured, systematic and continuous dialogue based on mutual respect and sovereign equality between the governments of India and Sri Lanka to deal with issues that arise from time-to-time.

It proposed preparing a roadmap for enhancing economic relations over the next two decades and called on India to place special emphasis on reconstruction and development efforts in northern Sri Lanka.

The report was presented to India's national security adviser and foreign secretary and secretary to the president of Sri Lanka, a group member said Tuesday.